ON THIS DAY | Sonny Carter Returns from Space, Jimi Hendrix Born

Official portrait of astronaut Sonny Carter dressed in blue flight suit, with flag and a Space Shuttle model. (Photo: NASA)

Nov. 27 marks 70 years since the birth of Jimi Hendrix. The U.S.-born musician is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. But before the guitar, as a boy between the ages of 12 and 15, Hendrix spent time sketching. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is exhibiting some of the early works and shared them with USA TODAY. (Evening Standard, Getty Images)

... 1942 - Jimi Hendrix was born. He would have been 70 years old today. The Seattle native moved to the South early in his career, played with Little Richard and is rumored to have been influenced by Johnny Jenkins, a noted lefty-guitarist from Macon.

DID YOU KNOW: Jimi shares his birthday with martial arts great Bruce Lee, Bill Nye (the now controversial "Science Guy"), actor Jaleel White (of Steve Urkel fame) and actor Curtis Armstrong, best known for his portrayal of Booger in the "Revenge of the Nerds" movies.

... 1989 - Macon native Sonny Carter returned from outer space aboard the Discovery. Though the astronaut has an area elementary school named for him, Carter may be best known around here for taking some freeze-dried Fincher's BBQ into space with him.

DID YOU KNOW: Carter also had a medical degree from Emory University and was a semi-professional soccer player for three seasons.